P R O F E S S I O N A L P R A C T I C E M AT E R I A L S
BPM335 Meditation and the
Body Term Test 1 Questions
& Answers 2026-2027 |
University of Toronto |
Comprehensive Review
(Rationales)
Verified Answers Exam Ready With Rationales 108 QUESTIONS
DOCUMENT OVERVIEW
This comprehensive review document provides 108 questions with verified correct answers
and detailed rationales on meditation and the body. It is perfectly suited for students
preparing for their BPM335 Term Test 1, offering a thorough study guide and review resource
for this subject area. The included explanations ensure a deep understanding of the
material, aiding in effective learning and exam readiness.
TOPICS
• Introduction to Meditation • Meditation Styles & Value
• Meditation Demographics & Ideology • Research Methods in Meditation
• Meditation Mechanisms & Brain • Meditation & Mental Health
• Meditation & Social Behavior
Page 1
, E XA M Q U EST I O N S
Q1 QUESTION 1 OF 108
Meditation
CORRECT ANSWER
practice in which one trains the mind (to pay attention or accept a particular negative thought)
and/or induces an altered state of consciousness.
RATIONALE
Meditation involves training attention, often through focusing on breath or bodily sensations, or
cultivating non-judgmental awareness of thoughts and emotions to achieve mental clarity and
emotional regulation. This practice aims to induce a state of mindful presence or altered
consciousness, fostering psychological well-being.
Q2 QUESTION 2 OF 108
Potential therapeutic value of meditation
CORRECT ANSWER
particularly for depression, anxiety and pain as a complementary alternative medicine (CAM).
RATIONALE
Meditation's efficacy is evidenced by its ability to modulate neural pathways associated with
emotional regulation and pain perception, making it a valuable complementary therapy for
psychological distress and chronic pain. This reflects the principle of mind-body integration in
managing somatic and affective symptoms.
Q3 QUESTION 3 OF 108
CAM
Page 2
, CORRECT ANSWER
meditation is a CAM (complementary alternative medicine), meaning it is not considered a
replacement treatment but instead as an addition to other treatments such as medication or
going to see a psychologist.
RATIONALE
Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) encompasses therapies used alongside
conventional treatments (complementary) or instead of them (alternative), with meditation often
fitting the complementary role to support standard medical or psychological interventions. This
classification highlights CAM's supportive, rather than substitutive, function in patient care.
Q4 QUESTION 4 OF 108
Elements of meditation
CORRECT ANSWER
fixed attention on an anchor (breath, image), breathing practices, assumed postures, physical
exercises, repetition of certain words/phrases out loud (mantras), rehearsal of particular
scripts, ceremonial objects or dress, philosophical attitudes and lifestyle regulations and
religious beliefs - all meditation styles have the first 3 elements and these elements may differ
from one meditation style to another.
RATIONALE
Meditation styles share core components like focused attention, breathing techniques, and
specific postures, though the manifestation of these elements varies across practices. This shared
foundation underscores the universality of meditative principles despite diverse cultural and
religious expressions.
Q5 QUESTION 5 OF 108
Open monitoring (OM)
CORRECT ANSWER
when you are not fixating on a particular thing, you are just maintaining this vigilant state,
where in whatever though comes to mind you focus on and accept non-judgementally.
Page 3
, RATIONALE
Open monitoring meditation involves maintaining a vigilant state of awareness without fixating on
any single object, accepting all thoughts non-judgmentally as they arise. This practice cultivates a
broad, receptive attention rather than focused concentration.
Q6 QUESTION 6 OF 108
Fixed Attention
CORRECT ANSWER
when you fixate your attention on a particular thing, such as your breath for instance.
RATIONALE
Fixed attention, a meditative technique, involves concentrating awareness on a single, unchanging
focal point like the breath to quiet mental chatter. This deliberate narrowing of focus trains the
mind to resist distractions and cultivate present-moment awareness.
Q7 QUESTION 7 OF 108
Not all meditation styles are equally preferred
CORRECT ANSWER
preferences change with experience - experienced people who have tried many styles of
meditation tend to prefer breath-anchored meditation (49% of the time) and inexperienced
people tend to prefer image-anchored meditation (think it's easier to focus on an image).
RATIONALE
Meditation preferences evolve with practice, as experienced individuals gravitate towards breath-
anchored techniques for their perceived simplicity, while novices often favor image-anchored
methods due to an initial ease of focus. This highlights how familiarity and cognitive demands
shape individual choices within meditation practices.
Q8 QUESTION 8 OF 108
Mindfulness vs. mindfulness meditation vs MBIs (mindfulness based interventions)
Page 4